Pneumatic release recharging means



Feb. 23, 1960 Filed Feb. 24, 1954 E. WERNER 2,925,959

PNEUMATIC RELEASE RECHARGING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I In venzor Java/a Ma r/Yer Feb. 23, 1960 E. WERNER 2,925,959 I PNEUMATIC RELEASE RECHARGING MEANS Filed Feb. 24, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jnvenzor Java a Werner I}; 2,925,959 PNEUMATIC RELEASE RECHARGING MEANS Ewald" Werner, Milwaukee, Wis.," assignor to Nordberg Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corpora- 7 tion of Wisconsin s Application February 24, 1954, Serial No. 412,216. 1 Claim. (Cl. 241-407 My invention relates to crushers and particularly .to crushers having a pneumatic release system associated therewith by means of which the opposed crushing elements therein become separable upon release of pneumatic pressure.

.My invention has for one purpose to provide an apparatus capable of recharging pneumatic cylinders associated with a'crusher pneumatic release system within a minimumperiod of time after the pressure has been released from such cylinders.

1 Another purpose is to provide a cylinder recharging means which shall be automatic in response to the pressure within such cylinders.

Another purpose is to provide additional means for replenishing the supply of pressure associated with my recharging means.

Another purpose is to provide arecharging means for pneumatic release cylinders associated with crushers, which means shall be effective to produce a rapid recharging of such cylinders with a maximum of safety.

Another purpose is to provide a method of operating crushers wherein a stored pressure is normally maintained and caused to recharge a crusher cylinder upon release of the cylinder pressure and the stored pressure is then replenished.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claim.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

, Figure l is a side view, in partial cross-section, illustrating a pressure and releasesystem of the type with Figure 1, the numeral 1 generally indicates a gyratory crusher having a main circumferential outer frame 2, a bowl-supporting ring 3 resting upon the frame 2, and a bowl 4 threaded upon the supporting ring 3. Mounted 'for gyratory rotation within the frame 2 is a crushing head generally indicated by the numeral 5. Thus the bowl 4 and head 5 constitute the main opposed crushing elements in the crushing structure 1.

A Pa i 0 2 by to clamp the bowl-supporting ring to the frame 2 in response to pressure created within the cylinder above the pistons 11, considering the parts as illustrated in Figure 1.1

It will be realized that the pneumatic release cylinders,

, Whilethey are called such, serve normally to clamp the bowl ring and its bowl in position in relation to the frame 2 and crushing head 5. The tension rods 12 may have spherically surfaced nuts 13, 14 resting upon corresponding seats inthe bowl-ring 3 and piston 11. As

illustrated in Figure 1, the bowl-ring 3 may seat upon a conical seat on the frame 2 as generally indicated at 15. It will be realized that from time to time undesirable foreign matter, such as tramp iron, may find its way into the crushing space A. When this occurs, it is desirable to separate the opposed crushing elements fora greater distance, as by raising the bowl 4, in order to permit the passage of such foreign matter. In the structure illustrated in Figure 1, release of the pressure within cylinders 10 permits the bowl to tilt on its seat 15 and thus permits an increase in the crushing space. A and the consequent release of the foreign matter. i Normally, a plurality of cylinders 10 may be associated with each crusher, numbering, for example, as high as 16. Upon release of the pressure in such cylindersa considerable amount of down time is often required for a compressor to recharge the cylinders.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that'the plurality of cylinders 10 may be joined by ducts 29 which extend between each pair of adjacent cylinders and which interconnect the internal chambers of said cylinders. One of the cylinders 10 may have an additional opening 21 to permit entry of a fluid under pressure to such'cylinder from which it may spread to the raised or lowered in response to the passage of uncrusliable material through the crushing space A. 7

Referring now to Figure 3, I illustrate a pressure i v supply .and control means for the cylinder 10. 30 indi- The downwardly, outwardly conical space defined by A the opposing crushing elements 4, 5 is indicated by the letterA. A plurality of cylinders 10 are secured to the frame 2. Each of the cylinders 10 has movably mounted therein apiston 11. Tension rodsj 1 2 serve to connect the pistons 11 with the bowl-supporting ring 3 and therevalve in the line 35.

cates a source of pressure which may be an air compressor. 31 is an air filter. An air pressure supply line is indicated at 32. A solenoid-operated pressure control valve and switch, generally indicated at 33, is locatedin the supply line 32. Shown at 34 is a pressure relief valve in the line 32, An air pressure conduit 35 branches off from .the line 32 connecting with the line 32 apressure storage chamber or bottle 36. The conduit35 has an extension 35a into the storage bottle 36 terminating below the top thereof. It will be realized that, whilea single conduit 35, 35:: is shown in the drawing, a sepa- I realized {that a plurality or battery of similar bottles or storage chambers may be employed without departing from the nature and scope of my invention. 37 is a The storage bottle or pressure accumulator 36 has adjacent its bottom a drain valve 38.

Located in the line 32 beyond the conduit 35 is a second solenoid-operated valve and switch generally indicated Patented Feb. .23,

at 39. 40 is a check valve in the line 32 downstream of the solenoid-operated valve and switch 39. A three-way control valve, which may be manually operated, is illustrated at 41. 41a is a rotatable valve port or passage through the valve 41. 42 is a line extending from the valve 41 and which may be vented to the atmosphere. 43 is a second line extending from the valve 41 and connected at the inlet port 21 in one of the cylinders 10. 44 is a safety valve in a line 43. 45 is a flexible coupling inserted in the line 43. p

The switch and valve member 33 includes a pressure take-off 33a in the line 32 and a connection therefrom to the switch 33b which controls a valve (not shown) in line 32 within the housing 33c. The valve and switch member generally indicated at 39 similarly has the pressure take-off 39a in the line 32, a connection therefrom to the switch 3%, and a valve (not shown) in line 32 within the housing 39c.

It will be realized that the solenoid-controlled valve means, described above, function as pressure equalizers throughout the crushing operation. The cylinders are, as is well known, subject to leakage. The cylinders may be set, for example, at 300 pounds and the solenoids may be so arranged as to be actuated upon the leakage of, for example, say 10 pounds of pressure from the cylinders. Thus if the cylinder pressure should drop to, say, 290 pounds, the solenoid valve 39 would open to permit pressure to enter the cylinder from the storage I bottle 36 and thus to return the cylinder pressure to the 300 pounds desired, at which time the valve 39 would close. A similar operation would occur with the solenoid valve 33 to replenish the storage bottle 36. Thus is provided an automatic and continuous means of insuring the desired pressure in the cylinders 10. While I illustrate the system shown in Figure 3 being connected to a single crusher, such as the crusher shown in Figure 1, it will be realized that a single pressure storage system, as illustrated in Figure 3, could be connected to a plurality of crushers in the field. I

It will be realized that, whereas, I have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the.

spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to my precise showing.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

I provide a method of quickly recharging pressure cylinders which normally operate to hold opposing parts of pressure structures in predetermined position. In order to unclog the crushing cavity in such structures, it is often necessary to empty such cylinders of a part or all of their pressure medium. In the absence of such quick recharging a substantial period of non-productive down time must be accepted.

It will be understood that the pressure in the storage bottle may be of the order of 1,000 pounds per square inch, while the pressure in the releases cylinders 10 may be of the order of, say, 300 pounds per square inch.

When the operator wishes to release the pressure from the cylinders 10, and thus to separate the crushing parts to clear the crusher, it is necessary only for him to turn the valve 41 in order to align the valve port 41a with the cylinder inlet line 43 and the vent line 42. Thus, the cylinders 10 are vented through the line 42 to the atmosphere and the pressure is released from the cylinders. v

After the crusher has been unclogged and the operator desires to begin operation, it is necessary for him merely to return the valve 41 to the position shown in Figure 3 in the drawing; i.e., to connect the valve port 41a with thecylinder inlet line 43 and the pressure supply line 32. The pressure-sensing or take-oil device 39a is responsive to the pressure in the inlet line 43fand the line 32 downstream of the valve 39;'i.e., responsive to the pressure in the cylinders 10. Since this pressure has fallen well below the predetermined pressure desired (say 300 pounds) the valve in the housing 390 is caused, through the medium of solenoid switch 39b, to open, thus permitting the pressure fluid to flow from the storage bottle or bottles 36 through the line 35 and that portion of the line 32 downstream from the line 35, to the inlet line 43 and the cylinders 10.

As soon as the cylinders have thus been recharged to the desired pressure, the pressure-sensitive device 39b is actuated to cause the closure of the valve in the housing 39c and the crusher is again in condition for operation.

In order to recharge the storage means 36, I provide the pressure control switch and valve 33. The pressuresensitive device 3312 is responsive to the pressure in the bottle 36. Since the pressure in the bottle has been reduced as a result of the recharging operation described immediately above, the pressure-sensitive device 33b is actuated to open the valve in the housing 33c thus connecting the compressor with the storage bottles 36. It will be understood that the member 33 includes an electrical connection between the solenoid switch and the compressor whereby the actuation of the switch causes the compressor to start up to replace the pressure in the bottles 36 and to charge the bottles back to the predetermined pressure desired, say 1,000 pounds. As soon as the pressure in the bottles has reached this desired amount, the pressure-sensitive device 33b is actuated to cause a closing of the valve in the housing 33c and, through the above-described electrical connection, to cause a shutting-off of the compressor 30.

Thus, it will be realized that a very rapid and immediate recharging of the cylinders 10 is provided promptly upon the turning of the valve 41 to connect the cylinders to the structure shown in Figure 3. While a substantial amount of time may be required for the compressor to replace the pressure in the bottles 36, this substantial amount of time is of no burdento the operator, since the crusher has been placed into immediate operation and will continue to operate while the compressor is replacing the pressure in the bottles 36.

Thus, I provide a method of quickly recharging the pressure cylinders 10 and of escaping the reliance upon the compressor slowly to refill the cylinders over an extended period of time and also a method for recharging the pressure and storage supply during the operation of the crusher. p

The safety valve 44 may be set at or near the maximum pressure desired in cylinders 10. Thus, should the member 39 fail to operate to shut off pressure from the means 36 when the desired cylinder pressure is obtained,

r the safety valve. 44 will bleed off any excess pressure before it can reach the cylinder.

I claim:

A single fluid pressure system; for quickly releasing and recharging the pressure on the stalled crushing elements of a gyratory crusher, said elements comprising a pair of inverted bowls having opposed crushing surfaces which form a crushing cavity therebetween, said bowls being mounted on a pair of opposing bowl rings, one of said rings being tiltable on the other, said pressure system including a plurality of fluid pressure cylinders connected to one of the rings, each ofthe cylinders having a piston therein, said piston forming, with its cylinder, an expandible pressure chamber, a plurality of tension members, each tension member having its first end connected to the other ring'and its second end operatively engaging a piston and so disposed that increased pressure in the expandible pressure chamber'urges 'the'rings together, a pressure generator, a pressure accumulator, a first conduit between the generator and the accumulator, first pressure sensing means in thefirst conduit for operating the generator in response to a pressure drop in the ac- 0 eumulator, a 'second conduit connecting the accumulator to each of the cylinders, a main valve in the second conduit for quicly venting all the cylinders to exhaust in a first position to thereby relieve the pressure on the rings and for connecting the cylinders to "the accumulator in a second position, and second pressure sensing means in the second conduit operable to maintain a given pressure in the cylinders when the accumulator is connected to the cylinders.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Schwarz June 25, 1940 Malone Aug. 4, 1942 Blair July 7, 1953 Gruender June 1, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Jan. 25, 1954 

